Changes to Canadian building codes and standards are likely to increase the use of residential ventilation systems by homeowners. This has raised concerns about operating and maintenance costs, particularly because much of the existing residential equipment is not designed for longevity, or energy efficiency. The technical potential for improving the longevity and efficiency of ventilation systems has been documented in other research reports by CMHC.
This paper is concerned with measurement of airflow in ducts using an active (pumped) sampling system. The system is capable of sampling tracer gases using either tubes packed with adsorbent or sample bags. A perfluorocarbon tracer (PFT) was injected into the ducts using thermostatically-controlled heating blocks. The samples were collected and analysed using a thermal desorber/gas analyser system. Laboratory and field testing of airflow in ducts was carried out. A large office building was studied for measurements of ventilation rate, ventilation efficiency and air quality.
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